Restored
#159 in Series: "The Life of Christ – in a Harmony of The Gospels"
We come today to one of my favorite passages in all the Word of God… It is a passage filled with the grace of God toward disciples who have been … less than faithful…
In recent weeks, we have been studying various appearances of the risen Christ. Jesus appeared to many, between His resurrection from the dead, and His ascension back to heaven! Today, we come to a portion of the narrative that is reported only by the Apostle John. We will consider the entirety of chapter 21, but for times sake, let's read what will be our primary focus in this message… Listen to John 21, beginning with verse :15 –
John 21:15-17
15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs." 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep.
I realize that there are several points in your listening guide today… If you are one who gets a bit… overwhelmed with trying to fill in blanks, let me encourage you to just set this aside and with your Bible open, simply give your full attention to God's Word as we peruse through this text… It's more important to hear with your mind and heart than to fill in blanks… Listening guides are designed to help us grasp and retain what the Lord is giving us… You might even want to relisten to a message at times, and in your second go around, fill in the blanks of the guide… We can never get too much of God's Word! You will grasp things on your 10th time studying a text that you may have missed the first 9 times…
So, whichever approach helps you most, let's give our attention to this wonderful chapter. We are going to cover the first few points rather quickly, so we can focus on the main point with more detail… We begin with –
1. A Debatable Decision by the Disciples
In the first three verses, we read of the simple narrative that a decision was made by Peter and six other disciples to … "go fishing"... We'll talk about why this decision is considered "debatable" in a moment, but first, let's read about it –
John 21:1-3
1After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias [keep in mind, that the Sea of Tiberias is also known as the Sea of Galilee], and He manifested Himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will also come with you." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
It is interesting to note that John tells us who was there. He identifies 7 disciples – referring to himself simply as one of "the sons of Zebedee"... There are two disciples John does not name… In earlier lists, we often see Philip and Andrew listed with this group, but it is only speculation to say they are here… We are simply not told who two of them were…
The decision we're talking about, is seen in the statement Peter makes in verse :3 – "I am going fishing"... The language indicates that he wasn't merely going to do … some fishing – but that he was going back – going back to the vocation he knew all of his life before Jesus ever even called him! (Luke 5)... And notice, Peter is still the leader… His influence results in the rest of them declare that they are going with him!...
Because of this decision, there are those who believe that Peter was … wrong to go fishing, that this was a "compromised return" to his former occupation… And there may be something to this – that Peter is simply returning to what he knows, afterall, he's got to make a living… The truth is, only the Lord and Peter truly know what was in his heart at this point… The context that follows supports the idea that Peter was in fact returning to his former vocation…
We should at least acknowledge that Peter was … not being disobedient to any command of Jesus. We learned from Matthew 28, that both the angel, and Jesus gave the command that the disciples were to make their way to Galilee and He would meet them there…
The angel told the women –
Matthew 28:7
Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you."
A few verse later –
Matthew 28:10
Then Jesus said to them [the women], "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me."
The Sea of Galilee is in Galilee…
It is significant that the end of verse :3 records that they went fishing "that night [and] they caught nothing"...
I can't help but wonder if any of them had a statement come to mind that they heard Jesus make to them?... Remember His teaching in John 15? –
John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
We can only imagine what it was like … the next morning when they are making their way back to shore with empty nets… They're tired, hungry, and probably a bit discouraged…
And what comes next?... Now, this gets good. We read about –
2. A Gracious Demonstration by Jesus
Let's pick up with verse :4 –
John 21:4-8
4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." 6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
It's been a long night, with no success on the disciple's part… The sun is coming up, and for whatever reason, the disciples can not recognize that it is Jesus who is standing on the shore calling out to them… Jesus uses the term "children", which up until now has not been a term for Him when addressing the disciples… There is some debate as to why He uses this term now.
Jesus certainly doesn't use it in any negative way. He is not addressing them in any derogatory way…
One commentator points out that the term translated "children" is also understood to simply be "lads". Παιδίον is used to "address men at work"... It would be similar to someone on the job calling out to a group of men and saying; Hey guys!... Jesus was simply getting their attention, to ask them about their fishing…
They of course answer that they've had no success… Jesus – now get this – Jesus either out of being able to see something the disciples couldn't, or out of His desire to demonstrate His sovereign power – called to them to cast their net off the right-hand side of the boat… I believe He supernaturally directs fish which alluded the disciples to … school up on that side of the boat! It's a gracious demonstration of sovereignty!...
They obeyed His command, even though they had yet to recognize it was Jesus – and the reward was … overwhelming!
It was at this point that John – who never uses his name in print – spoke up!... How do you suppose John recognized it was the Lord Who called out to them?... I can't help but wonder if his mind raced back a few years to a similar time and experience?... It was so good, let's remind ourselves about it…
Luke 5:1-11
1 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; 2 and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3 And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." 5 Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." 6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; 7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" 9 For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
And now, years after that experience – and after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – when the disciples … contemplated going back to that vocation … here is Jesus, yet again directing the fishing expedition that results in a bounty they could only have imagined!...
John speaks up ans says; "It is the Lord"!... Peter, who had stripped down to the … minimum attire does two things! He put his clothes back on, and jumps into the sea!... He leaves the other to deal with the haul, and he swims to shore!
The others make it to shore, dragging the net of fish along the way…
Before we go on, let's think about John for just a moment…
We've noted that John never uses his name in print – rather, he simply identifies himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved"!
It is interesting that the Apostle John becomes the one known as the … loving apostle… I read one who said –
Anonymous – "It was the consciousness that Jesus loved him which made John the Apostle of Love. Love casts such a wondrous spell over its objects, that they begin to shine in its rays and reflect them. Nothing will make a coal glow with heat but to plunge it into the heart of the fire. Do you want to love the Lord Jesus? — dwell on His love to you".
John will later write about the deep truth that –
1 John 4:19
We love, because He first loved us.
In fact, there was a lot of love being shown on the shore that morning!... Let's continue –
John 21:9-11
9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught." 11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
It is striking that Jesus, even in His resurrected state, deserving all praise and glory for Who He is – is still demonstrating humility and servitude!... He graciously prepared a fire and breakfast for these disciples, before they had any idea it was Him…
I really don't see any need to speculate as to where Jesus got His bread and fish… Do we really need to question that?...
It is interesting that Jesus invites these disciples to bring some of their newly caught fish, and that is when Peter himself walks back to the shoreline and grabs the net full of fish and drags it to Jesus…
Incidentally, there has been a lot of … speculation as to what the 153 number may represent… We don't have time to explore all that has been suggested, so I'm going to save us some time and simply tell you exactly what it means… Are you ready?... It means there were 153 fish in the net!
These were fishermen at heart, and 153 large fish in one net's throw, is a number none of these fishermen will ever forget!...
The scene continues to unfold with –
3. The Compassionate Hospitality of Jesus
Pick up with verse :12 –
John 21:12-14
12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.
Jesus' hospitality continues, and He is certainly preparing the scene for what is to follow, but there is a significant part to this section that causes us to perhaps scratch our heads in wonder… What is this section that addresses the matter of the disciples not "asking Jesus" about Who He is?...
As the old saying goes; "there's something lost in the translation"... The disciples knew Who they were encountering! They have been with Him for years! The point is – they had no need to "interrogate" Him! They've asked Him many questions over the years – but now, this is a scene of … reverence, and … sweet fellowship!
Perhaps Spurgeon gets at this better than I can –
C.H. Spurgeon – "They ate the bread and fish that morning, I doubt not, in silent self- humiliation. Peter looked with tears in his eyes at that fire of coals, remembering how he stood and warmed himself when he denied his Master. Thomas stood there, wondering that he should have dared to ask such proofs of a fact most clear. All of them felt that they could shrink into nothing in his divine presence, since they had behaved so ill."
There is one more quick thing here to address… When John mentions that this was the "third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples" – it simply means the third time that Jesus appeared to a significant group of the disciples, and the third time John has recorded such appearances… As we've seen from the other gospel writers, Jesus has appeared to one or two at a time, other than this…
What comes next, is what I've been excited to share form this passage for some time… It is –
4. The Restoration and Recommissioning of Peter
Now think with me through the details of this passage, and may the Holy Spirit help us to grasp the significance of what is taking place here, and how these truths apply to our lives as well…
This section begins with –
The singling out of Peter
John 21:15a
So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John…
Jesus directs His attention to Peter… I can't help but think that Peter was expecting Jesus to personally address him at some point… I'm sure the "eye contact" they made a few nights earlier, when Peter so blatantly denied that he even knew the Lord, was still lingering in Peter's heart and mind… (Luke 22:61-62)...
Next –
The contrasting question by Jesus
John 21:15b
So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?"
What are the "these"?... There are only a few possible answers… Jesus is calling for Simon to contemplate the difference between his love for Jesus and his love for … these men … these fish … these experiences… (I think Jesus' question covers it all.)
Peter understood the question… Then comes –
The honest answer by Peter
John 21:15c
… He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
Peter's answer … simply – and honestly tells Jesus what's in his heart… Then comes –
The direct assignment from Jesus
John 21:15d
… He said to him, "Tend My lambs."
We should note that there are several English translations that use the word "feed" instead of "tend"... There are nuances to the term that is being translated here… The original word is βόσκω, which has the literal meaning "to feed, to graze, to keep"... It has the idea of providing pasture, but with the care of a shepherd to provide what is needed… Lambs need appropriate pasture, and personal care…
I came across this very, appropriate quote from MacArthur that every pastor should take to heart here –
John MacArthur – "The preacher needs to realize that God's Word is not the preacher's word. He is to recognize himself as a messenger, not an originator (1 Thess. 2:13). He is a sower, not the source (Matt. 13:3, 19). He is a herald, not the authority (1 Tim. 2:7). He is a steward, not the owner (Col. 1:25). He is the guide, not the author (Acts 8:31). He is the server of spiritual food, not the chef (John 21:15, 17)."
Jesus doesn't stop here with His questioning of Peter. Now we read –
The probing question from Jesus
John 21:16a
16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"
This is probing, because it is repeated… The exact same question is asked… And what comes is –
The repeated answer by Peter
John 21:16b
… He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
Peter again … affirms what is in his heart, and sincerely answers Jesus… This brings –
The expanded assignment from Jesus
John 21:16c
… He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."
The command to "shepherd" involves everything in the word "tend", with the added assignment to … "govern, oversee" and "rule"... Shepherds care for sheep, but they are also to … lead sheep!... There is a lot more to this picture, but we must press on…
Let's lean into –
The profound exchange between Jesus and Peter
John 21:17
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep.
This is indeed a profound exchange between Jesus and Peter…
There are a couple of aspects in this exchange that I have always found … sobering…
The first is seen in the very question Jesus asks Peter… We don't quite see it in our translation… Jesus asked Peter; "Do you ἀγαπάω Me?"... That is a form of agape – the highest level of love – the self-denying / other-centered love / sacrificial love!... Peter answers by saying; "you know I φιλέω You?"... Different word – different level of love. This is "brotherly love" – not the highest level of love – but the highest Peter was capable of in that moment…
This is the exact same question and answer for the first two questions… But, on the third question, Jesus … stooped down to Peter's level and asked; "Peter do you φιλέω Me?"... Peter answers; "Lord, You know all things; You know that I φιλέω You."
Peter was grieved by this third question – and there is no doubt that in his heart he was equating the three rounds of questions with the three rounds of … denial that Peter had committed…
Jesus meets to restore Peter, and He does so with … grace…
The second profound aspect of this exchange that has always facilitated me is that Jesus asked Peter; "Do you love Me?"... He didn't ask him if he loved sheep!... That is the motivation for turning from being a fisherman to becoming a shepherd – it's not the love for sheep, but love for THE Shepherd Who calls us!...
What follows is –
5. A Promise and Prescription from Jesus
Note these quickly. First –
The Promise
John 21:18
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go."
Jesus spoke of Peter's past, reminding him that when he was younger, and had less responsibility, he could go about as he pleased…
Jesus then speaks of Peter's future – when another would "gird" him, and "stretch" him out and take him where he really didn't want to go…
You may say this doesn't sound like a promise – but it is… In short, Jesus promises Peter that he will not turn and run again. He will not know such failure again that he had experienced! In fact, Jesus tells Peter about how he will evidently die - "stretched out" (a euphemism for crucifixion). John clarified this –
John 21:19a
Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
History tells us that Peter was indeed crucified, and at his request, he was crucified upside down because he said he wasn't worthy to be crucified in the same manner as His Lord…
Jesus then gives –
The Prescription
John 21:19b
… And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!"
That is the prescription! It was for Peter – and it is for us today! Follow Him!.. For Peter this was a dramatic moment. Jesus gave these same words to Peter years earlier, when He first called Peter to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-19). Now Peter is being called to follow Jesus … all the way to the literal cross he will one day bear…
It has also been noted that there is "...significance in the use of the present tense here. 'Keep on following' will be the force of it. Peter had followed Christ, but not continuously in the past. For the future he was to follow steadfastly" and faithfully…
What does Peter do at this point?... This is kind of funny, but really is sad… We see –
6. A Repeated Pattern in Peter
In fact, this is rather … painful…
John 21:20-23
20 Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" 21 So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!" 23 Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?"
Peter "turned around"... looks at John, and then asks Jesus; "What about him?"... Jesus basically says; "Don't worry about John – if I want him to remain until I come back, it doesn't concern you."...
Jesus has to drive home to Peter that his focus is to be on … "following Jesus"!...
John records this in part to clear up the rumor that went around for awhile that somehow Jesus was promising that John would live until His return – but that is NOT what Jesus said – it was a "rumor" started by others…
Let's consider for just a moment how not only does this chapter end, but how John closes out his report on the life and ministry of Jesus… We'll call it –
7. The Trustworthy Witness of John
John defends his integrity by saying –
John 21:24
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
John explains that he witnessed all these things of which he wrote, and defends that his words are true and trustworthy…
The final verse, is as profound as anything he had written up to this point!
John 21:25
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.
"John wrote the truth about Jesus, but it was impossible for him or anyone else to write the whole truth about Jesus. There were many other things that Jesus did, and it would be impossible to write them all." (David Guzik)
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
- What is "debatable" about Peter and the others with him deciding to "go fishing"?
- What stands out to you about Jesus' exchange with the disciples while they were still on the boat?
- Why, do you suppose, John records specifically that the disciples would not ask Jesus any questions when they came to the fire and meal He prepared?
- What is most significant about the exchange between Jesus and Peter?
- What is Jesus' "promise" and "prescription" to Peter?
- Why, do you suppose, Peter asked Jesus about John at that point?
- What other matters stand out to you in the text?
- What are your thoughts about any of the quotes shared in the message?
Anonymous – "It was the consciousness that Jesus loved him which made John the Apostle of Love. Love casts such a wondrous spell over its objects, that they begin to shine in its rays and reflect them. Nothing will make a coal glow with heat but to plunge it into the heart of the fire. Do you want to love the Lord Jesus? — dwell on His love to you".
C.H. Spurgeon – "They ate the bread and fish that morning, I doubt not, in silent self- humiliation. Peter looked with tears in his eyes at that fire of coals, remembering how he stood and warmed himself when he denied his Master. Thomas stood there, wondering that he should have dared to ask such proofs of a fact most clear. All of them felt that they could shrink into nothing in his divine presence, since they had behaved so ill."
John MacArthur – "The preacher needs to realize that God's Word is not the preacher's word. He is to recognize himself as a messenger, not an originator (1 Thess. 2:13). He is a sower, not the source (Matt. 13:3, 19). He is a herald, not the authority (1 Tim. 2:7). He is a steward, not the owner (Col. 1:25). He is the guide, not the author (Acts 8:31). He is the server of spiritual food, not the chef (John 21:15, 17)."
